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Windows Vista's Most Important Keyboard Shortcuts

Must-have and must-know might just sound a tag exaggerated I will admit that, but just bear with me, it will all make sense in the end. And more importantly, start using keyboard shortcuts. If you are addicted to your mouse, you will quickly find that your actions are limited in comparison with the flexibility and freedom […]

Must-have and must-know might just sound a tag exaggerated I will admit that, but just bear with me, it will all make sense in the end. And more importantly, start using keyboard shortcuts. If you are addicted to your mouse, you will quickly find that your actions are limited in comparison with the flexibility and freedom provided by the keyboard.

And you need to start thinking of the keyboard as a natural extension of your hands. You will be able to bring Windows Vista to your fingertips, literally, in a way that you will never be able to do with the mouse. As keyboard shortcuts become and integer part of your everyday workflow, a new junkie will be born.

The bottom line is that the keyboard will provide you with an unprecedented level of control. You will never be able to go without keyboard shortcuts ever again. Either because of the way Windows Vista will seamlessly respond to your commands or because of the look on your colleagues' faces when you'll be flying through the operating system with little effort.

In Windows Vista, Microsoft has divided keyboard shortcuts into the following categories:

Ease of Access keyboard shortcuts

General keyboard shortcuts

Dialog box keyboard shortcuts

Microsoft keyboard shortcuts

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts

Windows Sidebar keyboard shortcuts

Windows Photo Gallery keyboard shortcuts

Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcuts

All of the keyboard shortcuts bellow will deliver an unprecedented level of interaction with the operating system and decrease your dependency on the mouse.

General keyboard shortcutsF1 - Display HelpCTRL+C - Copy the selected itemCTRL+X - Cut the selected itemCTRL+V - Paste the selected itemCTRL+Z - Undo an actionCTRL+Y - Redo an actionDELETE - Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle BinSHIFT+DELETE - Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin firstF2 - Rename the selected itemCTRL+RIGHT ARROW - Move the cursor to the beginning of the next wordCTRL+LEFT ARROW - Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous wordCTRL+DOWN ARROW - Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraphCTRL+UP ARROW - Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraphCTRL+SHIFT with an arrow key - Select a block of textSHIFT with any arrow key - Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a documentCTRL with any arrow key+SPACEBAR - Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktopCTRL+A - Select all items in a document or windowF3 - Search for a file or folderALT+ENTER - Display properties for the selected itemALT+F4 - Close the active item, or exit the active programALT+SPACEBAR - Open the shortcut menu for the active windowCTRL+F4 - Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)ALT+TAB - Switch between open itemsCTRL+ALT+TAB - Use the arrow keys to switch between open itemsCTRL+Mouse scroll wheel - Change the size of icons on the desktopWindows logo key +TAB - Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-DCTRL+Windows logo key +TAB - Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-DALT+ESC - Cycle through items in the order in which they were openedF6 - Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktopF4 - Display the Address bar list in Windows ExplorerSHIFT+F10 - Display the shortcut menu for the selected itemCTRL+ESC - Open the Start menuALT+underlined letter - Display the corresponding menuALT+underlined letter - Perform the menu command (or other underlined command)F10 - Activate the menu bar in the active programRIGHT ARROW - Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenuLEFT ARROW - Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenuF5 - Refresh the active windowALT+UP ARROW - View the folder one level up in Windows ExplorerESC - Cancel the current taskCTRL+SHIFT+ESC - Open Task ManagerSHIFT when you insert a CD - Prevent the CD from automatically playing

Dialog box keyboard shortcutsCTRL+TAB - Move forward through tabsCTRL+SHIFT+TAB - Move back through tabsTAB - Move forward through optionsSHIFT+TAB - Move back through optionsALT+underlined letter - Perform the command (or select the option) that goes with that letterENTER - Replaces clicking the mouse for many selected commandsSPACEBAR - Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check boxArrow keys - Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttonsF1 - Display HelpF4 - Display the items in the active listBACKSPACE - Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or

Microsoft keyboard shortcutsWindows logo key - Open or close the Start menuWindows logo key +PAUSE - Display the System Properties dialog boxWindows logo key +D - Display the desktopWindows logo key +M - Minimize all windowsWindows logo key +SHIFT+M - Restore minimized windows to the desktopWindows logo key +E - Open ComputerWindows logo key +F - Search for a file or folderCTRL+Windows logo key +F - Search for computers (if you are on a network)Windows logo key +L - Lock your computer or switch usersWindows logo key +R - Open the Run dialog boxWindows logo key +T - Cycle through programs on the taskbarWindows logo key +TAB - Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-DCTRL+Windows logo key +TAB - Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Windows Flip 3-DWindows logo key +SPACEBAR - Bring all gadgets to the front and select Windows SidebarWindows logo key +G - Cycle through Sidebar gadgetsWindows logo key +U - Open Ease of Access CenterWindows logo key +X - Open Windows Mobility CenterWindows logo key with any number key - Open the Quick Launch shortcut that is in the position that corresponds to the number. For example, Windows logo key +1 to launch the first shortcut in the Quick Launch menu.

Windows Explorer keyboard shortcutsCTRL+N - Open a new windowEND - Display the bottom of the active windowHOME - Display the top of the active windowF11 - Maximize or minimize the active windowNUM LOCK+ASTERISK (*) on numeric keypad - Display all subfolders under the selected folderNUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN (+) on numeric keypad - Display the contents of the selected folderNUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN (-) on numeric keypad - Collapse the selected folderLEFT ARROW - Collapse the current selection (if it is expanded), or select the parent folderALT+LEFT ARROW - View the previous folderRIGHT ARROW - Display the current selection (if it is collapsed), or select the first subfolderALT+RIGHT ARROW - View the next folderCTRL+Mouse scroll wheel - Change the size and appearance of file and folder iconsALT+D - Select the Address bar

Keyboard shortcuts for working with videosJ - Move back one frameK - Pause the playbackL - Move forward one frameI - Set the start trim pointO - Set the end trim pointM - Split a clipHOME - Stop and rewind all the way back to the start trim pointALT+RIGHT ARROW - Advance to the next frameALT+LEFT ARROW - Go back to the previous frameCTRL+K - Stop and rewind playbackCTRL+P - Play from the current locationHOME - Move the start trim point END - Move to the end trim pointPAGE UP - Seek to nearest split point before the current locationPAGE DOWN - Seek to nearest split point after the current location

Windows Help viewer keyboard shortcutsALT+C - Display the Table of ContentsALT+N - Display the Connection Settings menuF10 - Display the Options menuALT+LEFT ARROW - Move back to the previously viewed topicALT+RIGHT ARROW - Move forward to the next (previously viewed) topicALT+A - Display the customer support pageALT+HOME - Display the Help and Support home pageHOME - Move the to beginning of a topicEND - Move to the end of a topicCTRL+F - Search the current topicCTRL+P - Print a topicF3 - Move to the Search box

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Deepak Gupta is a IT & Web Consultant. He is the founder and CEO of diTii.com & DIT Technologies, where he's engaged in providing Technology Consultancy, Design and Development of Desktop, Web and Mobile applications using various tools and softwares. Sign-up for the Email for daily updates. Google+ Profile.